Students from the University of Houston are leaving their mark on one of Houston’s landmarks.

Tom Ferguson and other Masters of Architecture students are building a brand new entrance at the Port of Houston.

“We are creating an iconic image that was not here before,” Ferguson said.

Students not only designed the structure but are also doing the construction themselves, something Shaheen Maredia says will help them become better architects.

“We sit in offices and design all day and we make models, but the real world constraints are never really there,” Maredia said. “This allows us to get a view from the construction site, which we would never really get.”

That on-site experience will lead to better career opportunities.

“Having that knowledge going into the world of competitive architecture offices will give us a competitive edge to get better jobs,” Maredia said.

Helping build a Houston landmark is part of what’s happening at the University of Houston. I’m Greg Ortiz